What We Believe

The mission of Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church is to point people to Jesus Christ as the focus of their lives.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are committed to the following core values. They express both the basis of what we believe and the model for how we seek to live.

BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION
We confess gladly that the Old and New Testament Scriptures are the source of what we believe, the authority for what we think and live, and a resource for growing toward spiritual maturity.

We affirm the absolute necessity of communicating the truth of the Bible through relevant preaching, teaching, and all appropriate means.

John 17:17; Acts 20:27, 32; Romans 15:4; Colossians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-4:2

COMPASSIONATE OUTREACH
We practice the Great Commission of Jesus in making disciples by communicating the gospel in a variety of ways.

We demonstrate Christ’s love as we serve our community and the world.

Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 8:26-40; Romans 1:14-17; 1 Corinthians 9:19-22; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15

DYNAMIC WORSHIP
We embrace God’s ultimate purpose in creation and redemption as giving due worth to Himself so that He is glorified.

We understand worship to include all dimensions of life, but specifically those components of our church which bring God praise and His people mutual enjoyment in Him through preaching, making music, praying, testifying, giving, and serving.

1 Chronicles 16:23-29; Psalm 29:2; 50:23; 86:12; 99:5; 100; Isaiah 42:8; John 4:23-24; Romans 11:36; 15:5-6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 1:6, 12; 3:21; Colossians 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Peter 4:11; Jude 25; Revelation 4:11; 5:12-14; 19:1

FOCUSED PRAYER
We are privileged to give ourselves in approaching the Father through Jesus for all that we do as individuals and as a body.

We recognize the need to pray consistently so as to praise God, confess our sin, petition for our own needs, and intercede for the specific needs of others.

Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-8; Luke 11:1-4; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; James 5:16; 1 John 5:14-15

GODLY LEADERSHIP
We esteem faithful, servant leaders biblically qualified, godly in character, and committed to excellence.

We actively encourage them as they seek, by their example and instruction, to equip all of us to carry out effectively the work of ministry.

Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:6, 12; 2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1-4

NURTURING COMMUNITY
We endeavor to live as members of Christ’s body in fellowship with one another, joined together through the truths we share and the gifts we exercise.

We rejoice in knowing that this bond will develop authentic relationships, mutual encouragement, and committed families, bringing individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and interests who genuinely love each other into the body and into broad participation in the larger Christian community.

John 13:34-35; Acts 2:42, 44; Romans 15:1-2, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:1-7, 16, 5:2; Philippians 2:1-4; Colossians 3:12-15; 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8-9; 1 John 1:3, 3:14, 4:7